Jan. 30, 2006

Box Score

LORETTO, PA - The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's basketball team (5-12, 2-7 NEC) downed St. Francis (PA), 75-65, in the DeGol Center on Monday night. The Knights were led by senior Krissy Suckow, who netted a career-high 27 points.

Junior Mercedez Walker notched a career-high 13 points, including three blocks on the night, moving the 6-foot-3 forward into ninth-place on the Knights' career block list with 62. The junior also moved into fourth on the all-time single-season block list with 48.

The Red Flash (3-17, 3-7 NEC) opened the game on a 4-0 run, boosted by four-consecutive points by junior forward Danielle Hibbard.

Suckow nailed a three-ball from the left wing, followed by a baseline jumper by junior forward Mercedez Walker, evening the contest at 6-6.

Suckow converted a left-handed lay-up in transition at the 14:35 mark, giving the Knights their first lead, 10-8. The senior netted her second three-pointer of the half at 6:34, pushing Fairleigh Dickinson to a 21-15 lead, at 6:34. The 5-foot-8 guard dropped in 16 points in the first-half, shooting 6-of-6 from the charity stripe.

After trailing for a span of 1:32, freshman forward Rachel Orsmby posted up for a physical bucket, as the Knights regained the lead, 30-28. FDU pressed on to close the half on an 11-2 run, hitting the locker room with a 37-30 advantage.

"It's been a long time since Fairleigh Dickinson has beaten St. Francis here (in Loretto)," Head Coach Sandy Gordon said. "We've been struggling to put teams away, and tonight we played with the lead and didn't give it back. We showed a killer instinct and played with confidence."

SFPA turned the ball over 12 times in the initial 20 minutes, resulting in nine points for the Knights. However, the Red Flash out-rebounding FDU 29-17, resulting in 17 second-chance points, in addition to shooting 9-of-10 from the free throw line in the first-half.

Fairleigh Dickinson opened the second-half on a 7-0 run, highlighted by Walker's second three-pointer of the season, as the Knights increased their lead to double-digits at 44-30.

Suckow knocked poured in 11 points in the second-half, capitalizing on 9-of-13 trips to the line.

The Knights out-scored SFPA, 38-35, in the final 20 minutes to seal the victory. St. Francis (PA) struggled from the floor, shooting 30.0 percent, despite a 16 point, 14 rebound effort from senior center Beth Halter.

"This is a big game for us," Gordon said. "A win like this can get us going as we make our push toward the playoffs."

The Knights travel to Monmouth University at 7:00 pm on Thursday, Feb. 2.